There is no 'Net Generation'; An Anti-Aging Gene?

Discovered: Not all kids are obsessed with technology, an anti-aging gene?, Aspirin might be good for preventing lung cancer and get ready for an avocado-oil health food craze.

Not all kids are good at the Internet. Science has found a flaw with all this talk about how social media and technology are ruining the youth: Not all "the youth" is all that good at Internet. "Our research shows that the argument that there is a generational break between today's generation of young people who are immersed in new technologies and older generations who are less familiar with technology is flawed," explains researcher Christopher Jones. "The diverse ways that young people use technology today shows the argument is too simplistic and that a new single generation, often called the 'net generation', with high skill levels in technology does not exist," he continues. How, science, then do you explain their inability to make good conversation? [ESRC]

An anti-aging gene? Well, it's more like aging genes, which "switch off," when a person starts aging. But by targeting these genes, researchers could maybe unlock some sort of anti-aging super power. "We identified many age-related epigenetic changes, but four seemed to impact the rate of healthy aging and potential longevity and we can use these findings as potential markers of aging," explains researcher Jordana Bell. "These results can help understand the biological mechanisms underlying healthy aging and age-related disease, and future work will explore how environmental effects can affect these epigenetic changes," she continues. As with all things anti-aging, this sounds skeptical, but exciting. [Kings College London]

Aspirin's maybe good for preventing lung cancer. Though not conclusive, a new study has linked taking the drug with better outcomes when it comes to a bunch of diseases including lung cancer. "The question about whether aspirin use protects against lung cancer is still open to considerable debate at this point, and the published evidence to date is not conclusive," explains researcher Wei-Yen Lim. But, science did find some sort of link between popping the pill and lung cancer outcomes for women. "Among women who'd never smoked, the odds were 50 percent lower for aspirin users versus non-users. And among smokers, aspirin use was tied to a 62 percent lower risk of lung cancer," notes the study. So, it's not a bad idea to take it. [Reuters]

Get ready for the avocado-oil craze. Now that science has come out and given its OK to avocado oil, we're predicted an Acai-level of mania for the healthful food. "Our results are promising because they indicate that avocado consumption could improve the health status of diabetic and other patients through an additional mechanism to the improvement of blood lipids," explains researcher Christian Cortés-Rojo. "We'll need to confirm that what has been observed in yeasts could occur in higher organisms, such as humans," he continues. But health-nuts, as we saw with the Acai explosion don't need real science to back up their fads. So get ready avocado oil, your time's a coming. [American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology]

News reports are focusing on the Germanwings pilot's possible depression, following a familiar script in the wake of mass killings. But the evidence shows violence is extremely rare among the mentally ill.